Handle-bar for bicycles



Patented Nov. 5, 1895.

L. B. RICHARDSON. HANDLE BAR Fon BIGYGLBS.

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(No Model.)

ANDREW GRAHAMJHUO-LITHD WASHINGTONJ? C UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE..

LUCIUS E. RICHARDSON, OF CEDAR RAPIDS, IOIVA.

HANDLE-BAR FOR BICYCLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.549,211, dated November5, 1895.

Application iiled August 24, 1895.

To all whom it may concern.-

Beit known that I, LUcIUs E. RICHARD- SON, a 'citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Cedar Rapids, in the county of Linn and State ofIowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Handle-Barsfor Bicycles; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear,and exact description of the invention, such as will enable othersskilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The object of this invention is to provide simple means for adjustingthe handles of a bicycle up or down'without the use of a wrench or othertool and without necessarily dismounting. f

A device embodying the invention will be hereinafter fully set forth andclaimed, reference being had to the accompanying` drawings, in which- IFigure 1 is a plan View of a pair of handlebars and the head to whichtheyare attached. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary elevation of the same as seenfrom the rear. Fig. 3 is a central cross-section of the head in avertical plane, the connected parts being in full. Fig. 4 is a viewsimilar to Fig. 2, but with the gears removed. Fig. 5 is a centrallongitudinal section of the handle-bar bearings in a horizontal planeand also the connected parts. Fig. 6 shows a plan view of a modifiedform of handle-bar.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

The handle-bars A A are mounted revolubly in bearings B B, connected toor forming integral portions of the head B, secured to the upper end ofthe handle-bar stem D. This stem is supposed to fit in the steering-headof the bicycle in the usual way. The handle-bar is preferably in thecurved form shown in Fig. l, the shorter ends entering the bearings B B.This form may be varied, however, a modiiication being shown in Fig. 6,where the handle -bars connect at right angles with pivot-studs Al A. Y

The bearings B B are placed parallel with each other a little distanceapart, and are preferably made of pieces of tubing brazed to a separatehead B', suitably fitted to receive them and also the upper end of thestem seal No. 560,323. (No model.)

D, as illustrated in Figs. 3 and Ll. The head may, however, be formed ofa single piece integral with the bearings.

To give concurrent motion to the handlebars, so that the movement ofeither one actuates the other, their bearing ends are provided withgears C C, which, considering that the handles have but a limitedmovement in adjusting to any desired height, need not be toothed `allaround the periphery. The outer face of the gear should present a fullplane surface to give a neat finish on this side. The opposite face ofeach gear is provided with notches c c to engage with similar notches onthe adjoining ends of the bearings B B, and when drawn into engagementthe gears and connected handle bars are locked in position thereby. Forthis purpose the pivotal ends of the handle-bars are made tgslideashortdistance endwise, a suitable 4lever and connections bein-grprdvided tocontrol this movement.

The mechanism of the shifting apparatus is illustrated best in Figs. 3,4, and 5. A groove is formed in each journal of the handle-bars, as bythe attachment a short distance from the inner face of the gears ofcollars or sleeves A A. In the grooves thus formed is fitted ashifter-plate G, similar to the shell-ejector of a double gun. This hasa limited movement back and forth, suitable openings b b being formed inthe inner sides of the bearingsB Bfor this purpose. On the inner side ofthe shifter-plate is a lug C, to which is hinged a pair of links F F bya suitable pin or rivet fl The other ends of these links are hinged by apin or rivet f to lever E, pivoted on a pin e, projecting at each endinto holes in the inner sides of the bearings B B. In Fig., 3 the partsare shown in the locked position. To unlock or disengage the clutch theoperator has simply to throw the lever back to a-vertical position, aswill be readily understood. This may be done with one hand and therequired adjustment ofl the handles made with the other while theoperator is mounted and without at all checking the speed at which hemay be going.

It is to be noticed that the locking-lever reaches a dead-center when inthe locking position, the handles being thus securely IOO and rigidlyfastened at any desired angle and in such a manner that the strain onthem does not effect the engagement of the clutch. The parts should benicely fitted, so that when pressed down to locking position the leverholds the notched portions of the clutch tightly together and preventsany lost motion.

Having thus described my invention, I claiml. The combination with thesteering-head of a bicycle, of a pair of handle-bars journaled inbearings connected With said steering-head, gears connecting said handlebar journals, to give concurrent movement thereto, bearings to receivesaid journals, a clutch formed by the notched face of said bearings anda notched connection of the handle bar journals, and a lever to shiftthem in and out of engagement.

2. The combination with the steering-head spindle of a bicycle, of ahead having adja cent bearings to receive the j ournaled ends of a pairof handle-bars, said handle-bars having a limited endWise movement insaid bearings, a clutch formed at one end of the bearings and theadjacent face of a part connected With one orboth of the journals,gearing adapted to impart concurrent movement to the handle-bars, andmeans substantially as described for shifting them back and forth intheir bearings.

3. The combination of apair of handle-bars journaled at one end,bearings in thc head of the steering spindle to receive said journals,gears connecting them, clutches formed by radial notches on the adjacentfaces of the gears and bearings, a shifter engaging a groove formed ineach journal, and means substantially as described for actuating thesame.

4. The combination of a pair of handle-bars j ournaled at one end,parallel bearings therefor forming the head of the steering-spindle, thejournals having a limited endwise movement therein, a clutch formed onadjoining faces of said bearings and parts connected With said journals,a shifter engaging with said journals, and a lever substantially as dcscribed connecting With said shifter, and adapted to lock the clutchtightly together when in closed position.

In testimony whereof I affix my si gnat ure in presence of twowitnesses.

LUCIUS E. RIUIIARDSON.

Vwlitnesses:

J. F. Gnomi, J. M. ST. JOHN.

